Sliding door hanger assembly



Nov. 11, 1952 J. G. STERLING 2,617,141

SLIDING DOOR HANGER ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 19, 1950 .215 INVENTOR.

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Patented Nov. 11, 1952 SLIDING DOOR HANGER ASSEMBLY John G. Sterling, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Sterling Hardware Mfg.

poration of Illinois 00., Chicago, Ill., a cor- Application January 19, 1950, Serial No. 139,443

4 Claims.

My invention is primarily concerned with a new and improved door hanger assembly, adapted to be used with sliding panel doors or the like, embodying several new and useful structural features heretofore unknown in this art whereby a novel and useful door hanger assembly capable of quick and easy installation and adjustment is made possible.

There have been numerous sliding door hangers presented to the public in the past, the particular design features of which are toonumerous to mention herein; however a common problem to all such hangers is that of adjusting the hanging position of the hanging door for free sliding movement without removing wood trim such as door stops and jambs in order to make the hangers accessible for adjustment. Lack of operational simplicity and ruggedness have also been important factors in delaying complete commercial success of this desirable type of door hanging. Also, the lack of a successful roller track that can be readily assembled to the door framing, has caused much delay in the publics acceptance of this method of door hanging over the conventional hinge and pin arrangement.

It is one of the objects of my invention to present a new and useful, easily installed, sliding door hanger assembly whereby the hanging position of the door or panel it is supporting may be readily adjusted without removing the door from the hanger assembly and without the necessity of removing wood trim, door stops, a door jamb or the like.

It is a further object of my invention to present a new and useful type of roller track that may be readily assembled or hung to a door framing by means of wood screws or the like.

It is a still further object of my invention to disclose a new type of adjustable hanger assembly capable of being locked in its'adjusted position while the door is being supported thereon, whereby proper, quick and substantially permanent adjustment of the door hanging position may take place.

The above and other objects of my invention will appear from time to time as the following specification unfolds in which, in order to acquaint those familiar with this art with features of construction and the use and operation of my device, I have described a certain preferred embodiment thereof, readily more understandable with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a door hanger made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the hanger assembly showing the relation of the various parts thereof;

Figure 3 is an end view of a door suspended by the hanger assembly; shown in Figure 1, displaying the means for adjusting the verticalposition of the door; and

Figure 4 is another end view similar to Figure 3 showing an alternate means for mounting and adjusting the positioning of the door.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the hanger assembly shown therein is comprised generally of a guide roller track ID, a wheel roller II, a roller bracket I2, and adjusting stud 13, a mounting bracket l4, and an adjusting sleeve l5 adapted to be suitably mounted to a door 16.

The guiding roller track l0 may be of any suitable metal, such as sheet steel, capable of being formed, as by a bending machine, to the desired shape shown in the drawing. The track should preferably have a substantial V-shaped bottom rail portion 20 for contacting the periphery of the guide roller I l Suitable oblong slots 2| may be formed along an upper flanged portion 22 of the track member in registering relation with suitable oblong apertures 23 formed along the apexual portion of the V rail 20. The slots 2| are of a width suitable for receiving screws 24 for mounting the'track to an overhead door frame member 25, so that the track will be suspended therefrom. The apertures 23 are normally of a size suitable for receiving the blade and shank of a screw driver therethrough whereby the screws 24 may be readily inserted into the frame 25 to hold the track securely in position. Lateral adjustment of the tracks position on the frame member 25 may be accomplished by shifting the position of the slots 2| on the screws 24 imbedded in the frame member 25.

The roller I l is preferably a solid wheel herein made of plastic, such as phenolic material, having a rounded rim portion 28 adapted to partially mate with the V-shape rail 20 of the track 10, so that the roller will roll in contact with the rail along two contact paths or traces located substantially along the upper reaches of the V-rails inner faces, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. A central cylindrical opening 29 may be axially bored through the roller to receive a suitable sleeve bearing 30, herein made of oil impregnated bronze for permanency and silent operation.

' The roller bracket [2 may be of slightly heavier gage metal than that used in the track member In and comprises generally a central shallow channel portion 33 with an upwardly extending tongue 34, having a centrally disposed hole 35 therein; and a lower lip 36 extending at right angles from the lower edge of the channel portion 33. A slot 31 is disposed centrally of the lip 36 and is of suificient width and depth to receive the adjusting stud 13 therein for purposes which will appear later herein. An ordinary flat headed rivet 38 may be employed to connect the bracket l2 with the roller H, by inserting the rivet through the sleeve bearing 30, pressed into the opening 29 of the roller; the rivet shank will then protrude through the hole 35 of the bracket tongue 34 and may be; upset in a conventional manner, to hold the roller to the bracket tongue 34 allowing suflicient lateral clearance, so that the roller may rotate freely on the rivet as an axle.

The adjusting stud i3 is herein shown as an ordinary flatheaded carriage bolt type having a flattened head 40- 'anda threaded shank A l. A locking nut 42 threads onto the shank 51- as;- sembly to hold the portions of the bracket lip 35 bordering the edges of the slotted opening 3? thereof, firmly between the upper surface of the nut 42 and the underside of the flat head- 4-3 to provide a detachable mount for the roller bracket l2 with the adjusting stud I 3. i

The mounting bracket M is preferably of metal of the same gage as the roller bracket 1'2 and may comprise generally asuitable length of strip metal,- such as steel having a footportion 35 formed ateach' end with adjacent central platform 43 disposed parallel to; but ofiset upwardly from the feet.- Vertical-ly disposed interconnecting webs 41 reach between the feet-A and the central portion, the entire bracket being one continuousstrip of metal bent into this desired shape. Each foot 45' may contain suitable holes 48- for receiving holding screws 49 therethrough for connecting the mounting bracket to thetop of the door it, A circularhole 5!! may be located centrally of the-platform it for receiving the upper end otthe adjusting sleeve therein. A- locking nib 5i may extend downwardly from each side of the pl-atiorm- D16 opposite the hole 53 to engage an upper hexagonal head 54 of the adjusting sleeve l5 to lock that nut in its adjusted position when the weight of the door is being supported by the hanger assembly.

The adjusting sleeve I5 is preferably of metal and may comprise generally a hollow tubular shank portion 53 havinga threaded interior, adapted to receive the threaded shank of the adjusting stud; an upper hexagonal head 54 hav ing an upper annular raised guide shoulder 55 formedtherewitli, whichis adapted to be received by the central circular hole 5%) of the mounting bracket (6;- and a lower hexagonal wrenching post 55, adapted to be engaged by any suitable wrench for adjusting the vertical take-up of the hanger assembly. In assembly, the adjusting sleeve [5 threads onto the adjusting stud l3 below the mounting bracket |4 s6 that the ark 111131 gill-fie or the sleeve [5 lies Within the circum ference of the central hole" 56 6f the bracket l4 Use and operation :a mounting a hanger assembly of the type described above on a door or paneltwo adaptatfl'ons of my hanger assembly may be" used, as shown in figures 1, 3 and @of the-drawings. The preferred way is thatshowni-n figures l and 3, wherein sir-hole 60 i'sdril'l ed downwardly from the to'pof the door ad-istanc'e and diameter suitable toreceivethe adjusting stud and sleeve. A-se'cond .4 larger access hole 6| may then be drilled in one face of the door so as to interfere and meet the lower extremities of vertical hole 60. A similar system of mounting holes should be placed in the top of the door opposite each hanger, and at least two hanger assemblies used on each door with the track being substantially twice the length of the door width. A suitable circular cover plate 62 may be used to cover over the aperture 6|, preferably located in the back face of the door. It will be readily perceived that with the roller mounted on the track, the mounting bracket fastened to the top of the door, and the adjusting stud and sleeve inserted in the vertical hole 50 near the top margin of the door, the vertical hanging position of the door may be readily adjusted by turning the adjusting sleeve on the adjusting stud by means of a wrench inserted thrdugh the access hole 6! to engage the wrench post 56 of the adjusting sleeve.

Figure 4 shows an alternate method of mountingthe hanger to the door,- similar to the method just described; except for the elimination of the access hole 51 and the cover plate 52. V In; this system the vertical hole 60 is drilledin the top of the door and the adjusting sleeve I5 cut oil; about /4 of an inch below the upper hex head 5 1 prior to insertion therein. Also, the adjustingstud may be shortened if desired. fhe assembly is then mounted to the door in the aforedescribed manner, but adjustment of the hanging position of the door is now affected by engaging the hex head 54 of the adjusting sleeve Witha suitable wrench in its position between the bottom of the platform lli of the mounting bracket and the top of the door,

If desired, double sliding panels may be mounted using my hanger assembly, as indicated in Figure L {is notedbefore, ease of assembling the roller track Hi to the overhead frame member 25 is madepossi-ble through use of the slots 23 in the bottom rail 2-8 which are adapted to allow insertion of a screw driver therethrough. It should be further noted that the rollers H engage the rail portion 20 of the track members Hl along two parallel paths positioned sufliciently highon the inner surface of the track rail, so that the screw driver apertures 23 do not interfere with smooth rolling motion of the rollers over the rails. Further notice should be made of the fact that the weight of the door hanging on the mountingbracket' always tends to pull the locking nibs 5| in engagement position with the hex head o f the adjusting sleeve, to lock that sleeve in its adjusted position while still allowing the sleeve to be turned by wrench means to ride over the tube when it is desired to adjust the hanging position of the door.

Thus, it is seen that I have presenteda new and useful sliding door' hanger assembly capable of beiri'g'readily installed and easily adjusted, and having; asimpl but rugged construction. While I have herein displayed a preferred form in which the principles of my invention may appear, it will be readily understoodthat numerous changes, modific'ati'onsa'nd substitutions of equivalents may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and, therefore I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiments herein illustrated, except as may appear in} the" following appended dams:

1. In a hanger assembly for supporting a door panel for sliding movement alon an. overhead track};thecombinaition'comprising, a roller adapted= tohave mum;- engagement with said track, a

roller bracket supporting said roller fo rotational movement about a horizontal axis, a lower lip on said bracket having an aperture formed centrally therein, a mounting bracket, having a central aperture therethrough, positioned in vertical spaced relation below said lip and adapted to be fastened securely to the upper end of a door, axially adjustable fastening means interconnecting said two brackets, comprising a, threaded stud bolt extending through said aperture in said lip and having an outwardly flared upper head end engaging the upper surface of said lip adjacent said aperture therein, a nut member threaded on said stud and engageable with the under surface of said lip to secure said studs head end to said roller bracket, the lower end of said stud being received loosely through said central aperture formed in said mounting bracket; and an internally threaded sleeve member threaded on said stud beneath said mounting bracket, said sleeve having an enlarged upper head portion abuttingly engaging the under surface of said mounting bracket adjacent said aperture therein thereby to receive the hanging weight of said door thereon,

and wrench gripping surfaces on said sleeve for facilitating torsional rotation of said sleeve on said stud to adjust the vertical spacing of said two brackets.

2. In a hanger assembly of the class described for mounting a door or panel for later-a1 sliding movement along an overhead rail track, the combination comprising, roller means adapted to have rolling engagement with said track, bracket means rotatably supporting said roller, a lower horizontal lip portion formed on said roller bracket and having a slotted aperture opening inwardly of one edge thereof, a mounting bracket having a central aperture 'therethrough and adapted to be secured to the upper end of a door,

adjustable connecting means interjoining said A two brackets and comp-rising a threaded stud bolt dependingly mounted to said roller bracket and having its lower end extending through said central aperture formed in said mounting bracket, and a sleeve member threadingly mounted on J said stud bolt beneath said mounting bracket, said sleeve havin a polygonal upper head, the upper surface of which frictionally engages the lower surface of said mounting bracket adjacent said aperture therein; and a pair of downwardly depending locking nibs formed bracket adjacent opposite sides of said aperture therein, said nibs being engageable with opposite polygonal surfaces of said sleeves head for lockin the same against free rotational movement about said stud, said sleeves head overriding said nibs when torsional force is applied to said sleeve thereby to permit vertical threading adjustment of said sleeve on said stud for adjusting the vertical spacing of said two brackets and the hanging elevation of said door.

3. A hanger assembly for use in mounting a door for sliding movement along an overlying track rail, comprising in combination, a roller bracket, a track engaging wheel supported by said roller bracket at one side thereof and adjacent its upper end, for rotational movement about a horizontal axis; a lip portion formed at the lower end of said bracket and extending beneath said wheel in parallel spaced relation to said wheels rotational axis, said lip having a centrally disposed slotted aperture extending inwardly from one edge thereof; a mounting bracket mountable to the upper end of said door and having an upwardly ofiset central platform section, said platon said mounting form having a central circular aperture formed therein; a pair of depending locking nibs formed on opposite sides of said platform adjacent said aperture therein, a threaded stud bolt reaching dependingly between said two brackets, said bolt having a flattened upper head portion, the lower surface of which is engageable with the upper surface of said lip adjacent said slotted aperture therein and a threaded elongated shank portion receivable in said lips slotted aperture and insertable through said platforms central aperture, a locking nut thre-adi-ngly engageable with said bolts shank and mounted thereon between said platform and said lip, said nut serving, under torsional tightening engagement with the underside of said lip to lock said lip and bolt head together; an adjusting sleeve threadingly mounted on said bolt shank .below said platform, an annular bearing shoulder formed at the upper end of said sleeve, receivable within the limits of said aperture in said platform, and a polygonal enlarged head on said sleeve immediately adjacent said bearin shoulder, said head abutting the underside of said platform adjacent said aperture therein and lockingly engaging with said nibs to prevent threading movement of said sleeve along said bolt shank when the weight of said door is transmitted to said sleeve head through said mounting bracket.

4. In a hanger assembly adapted to mount a door or the like for sliding movement along an overhead track, a wheel roller, a roller bracket rotatably mounting said wheel for rolling movement along said track, an adjusting stud detachably mounted to said roller bracket and hanging downwardly therefrom, a locking nut threaded onto said stud for holding said bracket between a head portion of said stud and said nut, a mounting bracket mountable to the upper end of said door and receiving said stud through a central aperture thereof, a tubular adjusting sleeve threaded onto said stud beneath said mounting bracket, the upper end of said sleeve comprising an annular shoulder which is insertably receivable in the central aperture of said mounting bracket, an enlarged head portion exten-ding laterally outward of said sleeve, adjacent said shoulder at the upper end thereof, said head abuttingly engaging the underside of said bracket adjacent said aperture, and the lower end and shank of said sleeve being insertable in a suitable vertical bore extending downwardly from the upper end of the door; and a plurality of wrench gripping surfaces formed at the lower end of said sleeve adapted to be gripped for adjustable threading of said sleeve on said stud through a suitable access port in one face of the door whereby said hanger assembly may be adjusted to change the doors vertical hanging position without removing said assembly.

JOHN G. STERLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

